Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S - High-quality super telephoto at a lower price

The Nikkor 400mm f/4.5 VR S offers almost the image quality of the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, but at four times the price. The biggest difference between the two after the price is the aperture. The f/2.8 aperture is admittedly a little more aperturous and produces a little more background blur, but for most situations the f/4.5 will do just fine. On the plus side, the 400mm f/4.5 has a more compact size and lightweight construction, making handheld shooting much easier than with the f/2.8. The lens is ideal for sports, nature and potshots.

The Nikkor 400mm f/4.5 is part of Nikon's S series of optics, so you can expect the best possible optical performance from the lens. In fact, the colour, sharpness, contrast and bokeh effect of the lens are among the best on the market today. The F/4.5 aperture allows for shutter speeds that are wide enough to capture fast movements, such as birds or athletes, in sharp detail. In addition, the wide aperture gives good separation between subject and background. Of course, the optical design also includes Nikon's nanocrystal coating, which prevents ghosting and reflections, and SuperED, ED and SR glasses, which minimise colour aberration from the image.

In addition to lightness, it helps to have an effective image stabilizer in your lens for handheld shooting, and the Nikkor 400mm f/4.5 does. The lens' built-in image stabilizer gives you as much as a 5.5-step advantage in shutter speed. Not only that, the lens stabilisation combined with the Nikon Z9's in-camera stabilisation system allows for an astonishing 6-step faster shutter speed.

As mentioned above, the lens is surprisingly compact and lightweight, but usability is also improved by the centre of gravity being closer to the camera body. This makes it easy to track a subject steadily or pan smoothly from the arm. The lens also features a rubber gasket and a weather seal to prevent dirt, dust and moisture from entering the moving parts. A fluorite coating on the front lens makes it easy to wipe away any dirt.

Shooting video shouldn't be a problem with this lens either, with its very quiet but fast autofocus, minimised focus breathing and smooth aperture control. With a customisable L-Fn button, guide ring and focus distance memory button, you can maximise practicality to suit your needs.

Nikkor Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S is compatible with Nikon's Z-series 1.4x- and 2x -with telecommunications. They allow the lens to reach up to 560 or 800 mm, albeit at a slight sacrifice in luminosity. The lens also retains its good focus with telephoto attachments.

Main features

• A cheaper alternative to solid fuel super-teles
• 400mm focal length and powerful f/4.5 aperture, ideal for sports or nature photography
• Guaranteed S-series optical quality
• Lightweight and compact design for easy hand-held shooting and transport
• Powerful (5.5-step) image stabilizer
• Quiet, fast and reliable autofocus
• Nikon nanocrystal coating
• Weather protection

Technical specifications

• Bayonet: Nikon Z
• Burning distance: 400mm
• Lens size: FX (Full frame), also suitable for DX (APS-C) cameras (in this case focal length: 600mm)
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5
• Minimum aperture: f/32
• Optical structure: 19 elements in 13 groups
• Viewing angle: 6º (FullFrame), 4º (APS-C)
• Shortest focusing distance: 2.5 m
• Focus limit switch: full (∞-2.5 m) and ∞-6 m
• Maximum aspect ratio: 0.16 times
• Dim leaves: 9 pcs rounded
• Coating: nanocrystals and fluorine
• Filter size: 95 mm
• Dimensions (diameter x length): 10,4 x 23,5 cm
• Weight: 1 245 g (with stand) 1160 g (without stand)